Rear attachment assembly for skid loaders

ABSTRACT

An attachment assembly for attaching to a skid loader for operating at a rear of the skid loader is disclosed. The attachment assembly includes boot attachments for attaching to respective sides of the rear of the skid loader; side plates each attached to one of a respective of the boot attachments; and a quick attach plate attached to the side plates. The quick attach plate is configured for quick attachment to a skid loader accessory for performing a task at the rear of the skid loader.

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/452,131 filed Jan. 30, 2017; the present application further claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/465,415 filed Mar. 1, 2017; the present application further claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/531,088 filed Jul. 11, 2017, and also claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/595,569 filed Dec. 6, 2017; each of the above-identified provisional patent applications are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an attachment for skid loaders, and more particularly to a rear attachment assembly including a grappler for skid loaders.

Description of the Related Art

The skid loader, skidsteer, or “bobcat” is an engine-power vehicle including a liftable loader arm, where one or more attachments may be attached to the loader arm to perform various tasks. Common manufacturers of the skid loaders include Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere, Volvo, Komatsu, and others.

There are deficiencies in the related art. Attachments to the loader arm are attached in the front of the skid loader, which limits the type of tasks that can be perform by the skid loader and/or complicates and/or causes additional labor for the performance of certain tasks.

1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to an attachment for skid loaders that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of an embodiment is to provide a reliable and robust attachment assembly for performing tasks in the rear of the skid loader, and for performing two or more tasks simultaneously from both the front and the rear of the skid loader.

Another advantage of an embodiment is to provide a quick attach system that may work with various existing tools for the rear of the skid loader.

Yet another advantage of an embodiment is to provide a foldable attachment assembly for light and compact storage with the attachment assembly is not in use.

A further advantage of an embodiment is to provide a free-standing attachment assembly for rapid attachment to the rear of a skid loader.

Another advantage of an embodiment is to provide a method modification to existing skid loaders to accommodate the attachment assembly at the rear of the skid loaders.

Additional features and advantages of the invention set forth in the description which follows, and in the art, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended figures.

In an embodiment, an attachment assembly for attaching to a skid loader for operating at a rear of the skid loader comprises boot attachments for attaching to respective sides of the rear of the skid loader; side plates each attached to one of a respective of the boot attachments; and a quick attach plate attached to the side plates, wherein the quick attach plate is configured for quick attachment to a skid loader accessory for performing a task at the rear of the skid loader. The side plates are attached to one or more pistons for moving the side plates. Pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the quick attach plate. The pistons are configured for moving the side plates with respect to the quick attach plate. The boot attachments each comprises a boot insert configured to insertion into a boot attached to the rear of the skid loader. A pin is inserted into openings of the boot insert and the boot when the boot insert is inserted into the boot for securing the boot and the boot insert. Pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the boot insert. The pistons configured for moving the side plates with respect to the boot insert.

In another embodiment, a method for operating an attachment assembly to a rear of a skid loader comprises attaching boot attachments to respective sides of the rear of the skid loader; attaching the attachment assembly to the boot attachments; attaching a skid loader accessory to a quick attach plate of the attachment assembly; and operating the attachment assembly for performing a task using the skid loader accessory at the rear of the skid loader, wherein the attachment assembly comprises side plates each for attachment to one of a respective of the boot attachments and a quick attach plate attached to the side plates. The side plates are attached to one or more pistons for moving the side plates. Pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the quick attach plate. The method further comprises operating the pistons to move the side plates with respect to the quick attach plate. The attachment assembly comprises boot inserts, wherein the boot attachments comprise boots, and wherein the attaching the attachment assembly to the boot attachments comprises inserting the boot inserts into the boots. The attaching the attachment assembly to the boot attachments comprises inserting a pin into each respective opening of the boot inserts and the boots when the boot inserts are inserted into the boots for securing the boots and the boot inserts. Pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the boot insert. The method further comprises operating the pistons to move the side plates with respect to the boot insert.

In yet another embodiment, an attachment assembly for attaching to a skid loader for operating at a rear of the skid loader comprises a frame, wherein the frame comprises a lower portion including one or more attachment points; a top portion; and a tip portion, wherein the attachment points are configured to attach to the frame to corresponding points of the skid loader for fixating the attachment assembly to the rear of the skid loader, wherein the top portion is at an angle with the lower portion, and wherein the tip portion is attached to the top portion; and one or more attachments attached to the tip portion, wherein the attachments are configured to perform tasks at the rear of the skid loader, and wherein the frame is lifted or lowered when connected to a boom of the skid loader when the boom is lifted or lowered. The attachments comprise a grapple. The attachments further comprise a rotator attached to the grapple. The corresponding points of the skid loader comprises points on the boom. The boom includes a loader arm, and wherein the loader arm counter balances the attachment assembly when the frame is attached to the boom. The assembly includes one or more stands for independently supporting the attachment assembly. The stands are detachable. The attachment assembly further comprises one or more attachment bars, wherein the attachment bars include further attachment points for attaching to further corresponding points of the boom of the skid loader, and wherein the attachment bars are attached to the frame. The attachment assembly is configured to be attached to the boom through the further attachment points being attached to the further corresponding points of the boom. The corresponding points comprise points on a substantially counter weight portion of the boom. The corresponding points comprise points on the boom. The corresponding points comprises points on a substantially counter weight portion of the boom. The corresponding points comprise points on a body of the skid loader. An area between the lower portion and the top portion comprises reinforcement. The attachment assembly comprises steel. The attachment is operable by an operator of the skid loader. The attachment is operable by the operator through hydraulics. The top portion is foldable onto the lower portion. The attachment assembly further comprises one or more mounts configured for resting the attachments when the top portion is folded onto the lower portion.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible, utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary skid loader.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the attachment assembly with corresponding boots according to an embodiment; FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of the attachment assembly with corresponding boots according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly with a boot insert and a boot according to an embodiment; FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate views of the boot according to an embodiment; FIG. 3D illustrates views of the boot insert according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 4B illustrates a close-up perspective view of the attachment assembly for attachment to a skid loader according to an embodiment; FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 4D illustrates a side view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 4E illustrates a front view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 6D illustrates a side of the attachment assembly in a folded position according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of an exemplary attachment assembly attached to a skid loader according to an embodiment; FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of the attachment assembly attached to a skid loader according to an embodiment; FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in additional detail to an embodiment of the present invention, example of which is illustrated in the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary skid loader.

In an exemplary skid loader 100, the skid loader 100 may be a four-wheel drive vehicle with wheels 180 (and/or tracks, treads, or other attached components for moving the skid loader 100 on land), where the wheels 180 on each side of the skid loader 100 are locked in synchronization (e.g., where the wheels on the right-side of the skid loader can be driven independently from the wheels on the left-side of the skid loader). The skid loader 100 may have no separate steering mechanism to the wheels 180 (e.g., the wheels are held in straight alignment to the body of the skid loader). To turn the skid loader 100, the skid loader 100 may “skid.” For example, the wheels 180 on each side of the skid loader 100 may be driven separately at different speed (e.g., faster on the left side than the right side for a right turn), thereby skidding one side of the skid loader 100. Accordingly, a feature of the skid loader 100 is that torsion forces are effectively small on the body of the skid loader 100, which may increase the strength and durability of the skid loader 100 for heavy duty task. The skid loader 100 includes a cab compartment 190 on top of the body 110 where an operator occupies in the cab compartment 190 and operates various parts of the skid loader 100 using controls.

The skid loader 100 includes a boom 150. The boom 150 may be configured in various shapes, configurations, and/or structures. For example, boom 150 may include a loader arm 157 that includes a front section and a back section. A bucket 151 or other attachments may be attached to the front section of the loader arm 157. The front section of the loader arm 157 may be formed at an angle with the back section to increase the range of positions of the bucket 151 (or other attachments) when the loader arm 157 is lifted (e.g., the bucket 151 may be positioned close to the ground when the loader arm is in an unlifted position and lifted high from the ground when the loader arm is in a lifted position) or for other purposes.

The boom 150 (and the loader arm of the boom 150) is configured to be lifted from the body 110 (through one or more pistons, hydraulics, and/or other mechanisms 153). For example, the boom 150 may be lifted through the action of the piston 153 connected to the rear of the body 110. The lifting motion of the boom 150 may be controlled by various control or pivot points 153A-155A on the boom 150 and the corresponding control or pivot points 153B-155B on the body 110 (e.g., through connected bars or other component and/or mechanism between each of the pivot points 153A-155A and corresponding pivot points 153B-155B). A feature of this boom 150 is that a center of gravity of the lifted boom (with the potential weight of items in the bucket 151) may be low and centered to the skid loader 100. The boom 150 may further include counter weight portions 156 and 158 that are positioned with respect the loader arm for facilitating with countering the movement of the loader arm 157 (e.g., in conjunction in working with pivot points 153A-155A and 153B-155B). The counter weight portions 156 and 158 may be formed as extensions to the loader arm 157 (e.g., as one piece with the loader arm 157).

In the exemplary skid loader 100 as shown, the bucket 151 (at the front of the skid loader) may be attached to the arm loader of the boom 150 and can be actuated and moved by the piston, hydraulic, and/or other mechanism 152. In other configurations the arm loader 157 may use other attachments in place of or in conjunction with the bucket 151 (e.g., backhoe, hydraulic breaker, pallet forks, angle broom, sweeper, auger, mower, snow blower, stump grinder, tree spade, trencher, dumping hopper, ripper, tillers, grapple, tilt, roller, snow blade, wheel saw, cement mixer, and wood chipper machine).

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,732,996 and 3,672,521, which are herein incorporated by reference, discussed quick attachment devices that are carried on the front of a loader arm and are used for quickly attaching and detaching various accessories, such as different types of buckets or grapples (e.g., bucket 151).

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the attachment assembly with corresponding boots according to an embodiment; FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of the attachment assembly with corresponding boots according to an embodiment.

In certain applications, it is desirable to perform tasks with a skid loader from the rear of the skid loader. For example, in a logging application, it is desirable to carry and/or drag logs from the rear of the skid loader (where the logs may be dragged while laid longitudinally at the rear of the skid loader when the skid loader is moving forward). In current practices, logs may be held in the front of the skid loader (using grapples and/or other attachments to the boom) while laid longitudinally and dragged by moving the skid loader in reverse. There are deficiencies in this practice in at least that the operator of the skid loader must control and steer the movement of the skid loader in reverse, which may be at least inconvenient if not dangerous (e.g., the operator will have to operate and drive the skid loader in reverse). Alternatively, logs may be held in the front of the skid loader by being placed longitudinally perpendicular to the front of the skid loader. Here, the logs would need to be lifted up from the ground (as it would be difficult to drag logs when placed in this longitudinally perpendicular position to the skid loader) and would need further work of the operator and/or other workers to position the logs onto the skid loader in this longitudinally perpendicular position. Further, the lengths of logs that may be carried in the manner may be limited, as the length of the log would effectively represent a clearance width that the skid loader would need to clear on the sides (e.g., the skid loader would not be able to move effectively if the sides of the road or path are obstructed within the length of the log). Therefore, there are further deficiencies with this practice in that it may require potentially higher costs in labor and/or expenses to move logs in this manner (e.g., less logs may be moved in one trip due to the skid loader having to bear the full weight of the logs versus having the option to drag logs on the ground, additional time and/or labor needed from the operator and/or other workers, and/or a limit on the size of the log that may be moved).

In an embodiment, attachment assembly 200 may be used to attach to the rear of the skid loader and perform tasks from the rear of the skid loader (e.g., carrying items such as logs from the rear of the skid loader).

Attachment assembly 200 includes boot inserts 210, each for attachment to corresponding a boot 299 attached to the rear of a skid loader. In an embodiment, boots 299 may be bolted or otherwise attached to corresponding locations of the skid loader (e.g., towards the bottom of the body at each side of the rear of the skid loader for support and balance or at other suitable locations). The boots 299 may be attached to the separable attachment assembly 200 through attachment with the boot inserts 210. The boot inserts 210 may slide into the respective boots 299, where the openings 211A of the boot inserts 210 and the openings 211B of the boots 299 may align, with sides 212 facing the interior of the boots 299, and a pin or other securing component or mechanism may be inserted into the openings to secure (e.g., lock) the boots 299 and the boot inserts 210 together.

The attachment assembly 200 includes side plates 250. The side plates 250 may each be respectively attached to a boot insert 210 through opening 232. In an embodiment, the side plates 250 may be attached respectively to a boot insert 210 additionally through piston 220 through openings 221 of the side plates 250 and opening 222 of the respective boot insert 210. Openings 221, 222, and 232 may allow rotational movement of the side plates 250 with respect to the boot inserts 210. Additionally, the piston 220 (or other mechanism) may facilitate and/or control the movement of the side plates 250 through the extension and contraction of the piston 220.

The attachment assembly 200 includes quick attach plate 240. The quick attach plate 240 may be attached to the end of the side plates 250 opposite of the boot insert 210 through openings 253. In an embodiment, the side plates 250 may be attached to the quick attach plate 240 additionally through piston 230 through openings 231 of the side plates 250 and openings 233 of the quick attach plate 240. Openings 231, 233, and 253 may allow rotational movement of the side plates 250 with respect to the quick attach plate 240. Additionally, the piston 230 (or other mechanism) may facilitate and/or control the movement of the quick attach plate 240 through the extension and contraction of the piston 220.

In an embodiment, the side plates 250 may be connected with supports 251 and 252 (e.g., pipe or bar) for further structural support of the side plates and/or the quick attach plate 240.

In an embodiment, the quick attach plate 240 may be used to quickly attach and detach various accessories, such as different types of tools, buckets, grapples, and/or other accessories. These accessories may be part of a standard group of accessories for a skid loader (e.g., for the front of a skid loader). In an embodiment, the quick attach plate 240 may use similar quick attach mechanisms or devices or accessories that are carried on the front of a loader arm of a skid loader and are used for quickly attaching and detaching various accessories (e.g., quick attach devices discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,732,996 and 3,672,521, Bob-Tach mounting system, and/or other quick attach mechanisms). The quick attach plate 240 may attach to in the rear of the skid loader standard accessories that are designed for attachment to these quick attach mechanisms or devices on the front of the loader arm.

In operation according to an embodiment, the attachment assembly 200 may attach to the rear of a skid loader by aligning the boot inserts 210 to the respective boots 299 that are attached to the rear of the skid loader. For example, the attachment assembly 200 may be set at a location (e.g., supported by a stand on the ground), and a skid loader with the boots 299 installed at the rear may be operated to back into the attachment assembly 200 where the boot inserts 210 may be inserted into the boots 299. A pin may then be inserted into the openings 211A and 211B when the boot inserts 210 are inserted into the boots 299 to attach the attachment assembly 200 with the skid loader.

Pistons 230 and 220 may be controllable (e.g., through hydraulics and/or other mechanical or electronics mechanism by the operator of the skid loader) to lift or lower the attachment assembly 200 when attached to the skid loader (e.g., similar to the boom and the front of the skid loader). In an embodiment, accessories with a quick attach mechanism or device may attach to the quick attach plate 240 (e.g., the skid loader may be backed into the accessory with the quick attach mechanism to attach with the quick attach plate 240).

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 200 (with one or more accessories attached) may be used to facilitate various tasks that can be performed by the skid loader. For example, in a logging operation, it may be desirable that an accessory such as a grapple be positioned at the rear of the skid loader so that logs that are grabbed by the grapple could be dragged from behind the skid loader when the skid loader is moving (e.g., the operator of the skid loader would not need to operate the skid loader in reverse, which may be beneficial for safety and operator convenience and comfort). In another example, it may be desirable for certain applications that the weight of the task to be better distributed to a different area or component of the skid loader (e.g., the body of the skid loader as opposed to the boom). For example, in a logging operation, a log grappled and dragged by the skid loader may be heavy, and it may be desirable that the body of the skid loader support some of the weight of the log (as opposed to the boom).

In a further embodiment, the additional accessories attached to the attachment assembly 200 may be in addition and/or complementary to the accessory attached to the front of the skid loader. For example, construction or other projects or tasks may need to use two or more tools or accessories simultaneously or in quick succession. Consequently, a skid loader with a front quick attach system may need to remove a first accessory and then attach a second accessory for the task, which takes time for the removal and attachment process. Alternatively, the task may use two or more skid loaders with different accessories attached, which inefficiently takes up resources for a task. In an embodiment, two or more accessories may be attached to the same skid loader (e.g., one in the front and another in the rear using the attachment assembly 200). The first accessory may be used for the task, and when the second accessory is needed, the operator of the skid loader may reverse the skid loader to continue performing the task with minimal time or resource loss. In another embodiment, one or more operators may simultaneously use the two or more accessories (e.g., in the front and rear of the skid loader) for performing one or more tasks.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 200 and the quick attach plate 240 may be used to attached to a grapple or other tools similar to attachment assemblies as discussed in this disclosure or other attachment assemblies as known now or may be later derived in the art.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly with a boot insert and a boot according to an embodiment; FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate views of the boot according to an embodiment; FIG. 3D illustrates views of the boot insert according to an embodiment.

The boot 320 includes at least an opening 321, side 322, top edge 323, side edge 324, bottom edge 325, interior side 326, and exterior side 327. The boot insert 310 includes at least an opening 311, side 312, top edge 313, side edge 314, bottom edge 315, interior side 316 and exterior side 317.

In an embodiment, the boot 320 may be attached to a skid loader (e.g., two boots may be attached to two respective sides of the rear body of the skid load), with the exterior side 327 abutting the skid loader. Complementary boot inserts 310 may be attached to an attachment assembly 399 (e.g., attachment assembly 399 may be an attachment assembly as discussed in this disclosure or other attachment assemblies as known now or may be later derived in the art) to modify the attachment assembly 399 for attachment to the boot 320. For example, portions of the attachment assembly 399 (e.g., piston and/or anchor portions that would be attached to the rear of the skid loader) may fit into the interior side 316 (e.g., through attachment with openings 318).

The exterior side 317 of the boot insert 310 may be inserted into the interior side 326 of the boot 320 for attachment of the attachment assembly 399 to the side loader. A pin or other attachment mechanisms may be inserted into the openings 311 and 312 for securing the attachment of the boot insert 310 with the boot 320.

In an embodiment, the boot 320 may be dimensioned with widths of 6″ at the top edge 323 and 5″ at the bottom edge 325, with lengths of 14″ between the top edge 323 and the side edge 324 and 8″ between the bottom edge 325 and the interior side 326, and with heights of 16″ along the side edge 324 and 19″ along the exterior side 327.

In an embodiment, the boot insert 310 may be dimensioned with widths of 5½″ at the top edge 313 and 4½″ at the bottom edge 315, with lengths 15½″ between the top edge 313 and the side edge 314, and with heights of 15½″ along the side edge 314 and 18½″ along the exterior side 317.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 4B illustrates a close-up perspective view of the attachment assembly for attachment to a skid loader according to an embodiment; FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 4D illustrates a side view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 4E illustrates a front view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

As discussed with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C, in certain applications, it is desirable to perform tasks with a skid loader from the rear of the skid loader. In an embodiment, attachment assembly 400 may be used to attach to the boom of the skid loader and perform tasks from the rear of the skid loader (e.g., carrying items such as logs from the rear of the skid loader).

Attachment assembly 400 includes a frame 410 for attachment to a boom of a skid loader from the rear. In an embodiment, the frame 410 may be attached to the boom through various attachment points 420 and 430. For example, each sides of the frame 410 may be shaped at the attachment points 420 and 430 for alignment to be attached to the respective sides of the back section of a boom (e.g., the counter weight portion 156 of boom 150). Therefore, the frame 410 may be act as an extension of the back section of the boom (e.g., each sides of the frame 410 may act to elongate the respective arms of the back section of the boom towards the rear of the skid loader).

In an embodiment, the frame 410 may include a top portion that includes a tip 440 for holding an attachment 450. The attachment 450 may include a grapple 453 or other types of attachments for performing tasks at the rear of the skid loader. In an embodiment, the grapple 453 (or other attachments) may be attached to the tip 440 through a rotator 451 (allowing the grapple 453 the ability to rotate with respect to the frame 410, which may be stationary or fixed in the horizontal plane with respect to the skid loader). The rotator 451 may be attached to the tip 440 by rings 441 and a pin 442 through the rings 441, and the rotator 451 inside the rings 441 may secure the setup.

In another embodiment, the grapple 453 (or other attachments) may be attached to the tip 440 through chains or other attachment components and/or mechanisms. For example, chains may be attached to grooves 470. The grapple 453 (or other attachments) may be controlled through hydraulics 452 or other control mechanisms by the operator. In an embodiment, the grapple 453 (or other attachments) and/or the attachment 450 may be detachable and/or may be replaced with other components and/or attachments.

In an embodiment, the top portion of the frame 410 (including the tip 440) may be formed or aligned at an angle with the lower portion of the frame 410 (including attachment points 420 and 430) that is configured to attach to the boom of the skid loader as an extension of the back portion of the boom. It may be desirable for the angle that the attachment 450 is aligned with respect to the ground (horizon) at certain angle or range of angles. For example, if the grapple 453 is attached for a logging operation, it may be desirable for the base of the grapple 453 to be more parallel with the ground (as opposed to being in a more perpendicular alignment) so that the grapple 453 may apply a stronger grip to logs while dragging the logs on the ground. The angle that the top portion of the frame 410 makes with the lower portion of the frame 410 may facilitate the desired use of the attachment 450 (e.g., where the lower portion of the frame 410 may extend the boom of the skid loader, which may itself have an angle with respect to the ground, the top portion of the frame 410 aligns the attachment 450 to a more suitable and/or desirable angle or ranges of angles during operation of the attachment assembly 400).

In operation according to an embodiment, the attachment assembly 400 may be lifted or lowered through the operation of the boom of the skid loader. For example, when the attachment assembly 400 is attached to the boom 150 as an extension of the boom 150, the attachment assembly 400 (along with the attachment 450) may raise and/or lower depending on the lifting of the boom 150. It is noted that because the attachment assembly 400 is installed at the rear of the skid loader, the lifting or the lowering of the attachment assembly 400 may be opposite to a would-be attachment at the front of the boom 150 (e.g., bucket 151) when the boom 150 is lifted or lowered. For example, if the bucket 151 would be lifted due to a lifting of the boom 150, the attachment assembly 400 would be correspondingly lowered. It is also noted that because the attachment assembly 400 is attached to a back portion of the boom (e.g., around counter weight portion 156), the front portion of the boom (e.g., the loader arm portion) may act as the counter weight for the attachment assembly 400 during the lifting (e.g., the lifting and lowering movement of the attachment assembly 400 is cantilevered by the boom of the skid loader). In an embodiment, the bucket 151 or other attachment may be attached to the loader arm portion for further counter weight and/or may be removed if not needed for the tasks.

In an embodiment, the sides of the frame 410 may be attached by bars 461 and 462 of various thicknesses for reinforcement or other purposes.

In an embodiment, the frame 410 may be composed of ½″ thick steel. The frame 410 may have a length of 51″ at the lower portion (the portion with attachment points 420 and 430 for attachment to the boom) and a length of 60″ at the top angled portion. The tip 440 may have a width of 7¼″ at the narrowest point. The angle between the lower portion and the top angled portion may be 31 degrees. The total width of the lower portion of the frame 410 may be 50″, the interior width may be 42″, and the width of each side may be 3″. The distance between the attachment points 420 and 430 may be 24″. The height of the steel bars making up the frame may be 8″ at the lower portion and 5½″ at the top portion.

In an embodiment, the attachment point 440 may be attached to the boom using ⅞″ bolts and washers, and the attachment point 430 may be attached to the boom using 1″ bolts and washers.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 500 includes frame 511, which includes a tip 540 for attaching attachment 550. The attachment 550 may include a grapple 553 (or other attachments) and/or rotator 551 (or chains or other attachment component). The grapple 553 may be controlled through hydraulics 552 (or other control mechanism).

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 500 further includes attachment point 520 for attachment to the body of a skid loader. It is noted that it may be desirable for certain applications that the weight of the attachment assembly 500 (including the weight of the attachment 550 and items held by attachment 550) to be better distributed to a stronger area or component of the skid loader (e.g., the body of the skid loader as opposed to the boom). For example, in a logging operation, a log grappled and dragged by the attachment assembly 500 may be heavy, and it may be desirable that the body of the skid loader support some of the weight of the log (as opposed to the boom). In an embodiment, the attachment point 520 may be configured to be attached to a low position on the body of the skid loader to allow the body of the skid loader to be loaded by some portion of the weight of the log or other items.

In an embodiment, each side of the frame 511 may be connected by bar 562. Further, bar 562 may be connected (by cables, legs, or other connection component) to attachment bars 512, where each attachment bar 512 corresponds to each side of the frame 511. An attachment bar 512 includes an attachment point 530 for attachment to the boom of the skid loader. Therefore, the boom may be lifted and lowered to lift and lower the attachment bars 512, which would lift and lower the frame 511 and the attached attachment 550. Each side of the attachment bars 512 may be connected by bar 561. In an embodiment, the attachment bars 512 may be supported by supports 563 and 530, which may be attached to the frame 511, bar 562, or other anchors or attachment points on the attachment assembly 500.

In an embodiment, legs or stands 571 and 572 may be attached to the corresponding points of frame 511 and attachment bars 512 to facilitate the attachment assembly 500 to be free-standing on the ground (e.g., when the attachment assembly 500 is not attached to the skid loader) and to facilitate the attachment of the attachment assembly 500 to the skid loader. The legs or stands 571 and 572 may be detachable upon attachment of the attachment assembly 500 to the skid loader. In another embodiment, legs or stands 571 and 572 may be foldable to occupy relative less space and be unobstructive when the attachment assembly 500 is being used for tasks. In an embodiment, jackscrew 575 may be operated to attach or detach the legs or stands 571 and 572 as needed.

In an embodiment, the top portion of the frame 511 (including the tip 540) may be formed at an angle with respect to the lower portion of the frame 511 (including the attachment point 520). The area of the formed angle may be reinforced by reinforcement 590 for further durability of the attachment assembly 500.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment; FIG. 6D illustrates a side of the attachment assembly in a folded position according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 600 includes foldable sections (e.g., for compact storage and/or weight distribution and/or for other purposes).

The attachment assembly 600 includes a lower portion (which may include mounting frame 610, mounting plate 670, and structural or support bar 620) for mounting to the skid loader. The attachment assembly includes an upper portion (which may include frame 630, structural or support bars 640 and 650, tip 6100, and/or attachment point 6101), which may be attached to the lower portion by hinge 660).

Through operation of the hinge 660 (which may be facilitated using hydraulic ram 690 (or other mechanical or other mechanism)), the upper portion of the attachment assembly 600 may be folded onto the lower portion of the attachment assembly 600. In an embodiment, the hydraulic ram 690 may be mounted to structural or support bars 620 and 640 at the respective ends.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 600 includes one or more stops 6110 for holding the frame 630 in a relatively fixed position in the unfolded position (e.g., stopping the frame 630 from hitting the mounting frame 610 and/or putting stress on the hydraulic ram 690, such as when the attachment assembly is performing work (e.g., pulling logs)).

In an embodiment, a grapple 6102 (or other attachments) may be attached to the attachment point 6101. The attachment may be further folded onto the upper portion when not in use.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 600 may be 99″ in length by 50″ in width at the lower portion. The frame 610 may be made of 3″×8″×⅜″ rectangular tubing. The support bar 620 may be made of 5″ schedule 40 pipe.

At the upper portion, the frame 630 may be made of 3″×6″×⅜″ rectangular tubing at a length of 41″. The support bar 640 may be made of 5″ schedule 40 pipe, and the support bar 650 may be 2×4×11 gauge. The tip 6100 may be 6″ in length as attached to the frame 630. The hinge 660 may be 13″×6″ with a hole for placing the 1¼″ pin 680. The mounting plate 670 may be 9″×10″.

The hydraulic ram may be 4″ bore, 16″ stroke, and 2″ rod and has a clearance width of 18½″ with the interior side of the frame 610.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 600 with the foldable mechanism (e.g., including the hydraulic ram 690 and the foldable portions of the attachment assembly 600) may be adapted for and/or used to modify attachment assemblies as discussed in this disclosure or other attachment assemblies as known now or may be later derived in the art.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an exemplary attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 700 includes foldable sections (e.g., for compact storage and/or weight distribution and/or for other purposes) and may include grapple mounts for a grapple (or other attachments) when attached to the tip 711.

The attachment assembly 700 may include an upper portion which may include a frame 709, which is attached to a number of support bars (e.g., support bars 707 and 708). A hydraulic ram (or other mechanical or other mechanisms) may be attached to piston mount 703 at the upper portion of the attachment assembly at one end (and the hydraulic ram may be attached to a structural or support bar at the lower portion of the attachment assembly at the other end), for facilitating the upper portion of the attachment assembly being folded onto the lower portion of the attachment assembly 700. The mount 703 may be attached to a respective support bar 707 at each side, and the support bars may also be attached to respective supports 708, which is attached to the frame 709, for further support of mount 703.

In an embodiment, grapple mounts 707 and 705 may be also attached to the frame 709 and/or the support bars 702 and 708 (for additional support). In an embodiment, the grapple mount assembly provided by the combination of the grapple mounts 707 and 705 may be used to support various components of the grapple (or other attachments). For example, the grapple may be folded onto the upper portion of the attachment assembly 700 and rest on the support assembly when the grapple is not in use.

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 700 may include connectors 720 for connecting each of the supports 702 and 707 to the piston mount 703 (and to rotationally support the turning of piston mount 703, with respect to the supports 702, when the upper portion of the attachment assembly 700 is being folded onto the lower portion). The attachment assembly 700 may further include support pieces 701 for supporting the respective connectors 720.

In an embodiment, the grapple mount 702 may be made of cut out of 2″×4″×11 gauge metal and may have a length of 9½″ (a length 5″ at the short side) and a height of 5″. The grapple mount 708 may be made of cut out of 2″×4″×11 gauge metal and has a surface length of 10.25″ for resting the grapple.

The piston mount 703 may have a length of 14″ and a height of 7¼″. The piston mount 703 may include a fastener for fastening the hydraulic ram and may be dimensioned 5¼″×3¼″, with a 1″ center hole of 1″ in diameter and a corner cutout of 2″×2¼″. The support 707 may be made of 5″ schedule 50 pipe. The support 708 may be may of 2″×4″×11 gauge metal. The frame 709 may be made of 3×6×⅜ rectangular tubing.

The connectors 720 may have a length of 16″ and a width of 6¼″ at the larger end and a width of 2¾″ at the smaller end. The larger end may include a hold for fitting the support 707. The support 701 may be a cut out of 3×6×⅜ metal and shaped triangularly with a length of 9½″ and a width of 3½″. In an embodiment, the connectors 720 are placed at 36 degrees angles (e.g., the angle between the support 707 and the piston mount 703).

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly 700 with the foldable mechanism and/or the grapple mounts (e.g., grapple mounts 707 and 705) may be adapted for and/or used to modify attachment assemblies as discussed in this disclosure or other attachment assemblies as known now or may be later derived in the art.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of an exemplary attachment assembly attached to a skid loader according to an embodiment; FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of the attachment assembly attached to a skid loader according to an embodiment; FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of the attachment assembly according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment the attachment assembly 800 may be attached to a lower portion of the back of a skid loader (e.g., to facilitate further weight counterbalance with the skid loader and/or the front portion of the skid loader including the bucket). For example, the attachment assembly may be attached to the skid loader through complementary attachment pieces 801 and 802. The attachment piece 801 may be pre-attached to the skid loader at a location (e.g., the lower portion of the back of the skid loader) and would be complementarily attachable to attachment piece 802, which is attached to the rest of the attachment assembly (e.g., the frame 803 including reinforcement 804 and attachment point 805).

In an embodiment, the attachment assembly may include pistons 806 and/or other mechanism for lifting and/or moving the attachment assembly in a determined movement (e.g., lifted in an up-and-down motion). The piston may be attached with one end at an attachment point 807 of the attachment assembly, which may at a location on the frame 803, reinforcement joint 804, and/or other locations). The other end of the piston may be attached to a substantially secured point (which may be immovable) when the attachment assembly is attached to the skid loader (e.g., attachment point 808, which may be fixed on the attachment piece 802). In an embodiment, the attachment piece 802 includes an upper portion (including the attachment point 808) for attaching the piston 810 to connect with the frame 803 at an upper portion of the frame 803. The lower portion of attachment piece 802 may also include an attachment point 802 for attaching and/or securing a lower portion or end of the frame 803. The lower portion of the frame 803 may be moveable when attached to attachment piece 801 through the attachment point 809 (e.g., the attachment through the attachment point 809 may be a movable joint), which facilitates the lifting and/or other movements of the frame when actuated by the piston 810 and/or other mechanism. In an embodiment, the frame 803 may be attached to the attachment piece 802 through an attachment piece 806.

In another embodiment, the frame may be substantially immovable (e.g., the piston 810 may be replaced with nonmoving connectors such as piping, chain, and/or other connectors).

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included a description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. 

1. An attachment assembly for attaching to a skid loader for operating at a rear of the skid loader, comprising: boot attachments for attaching to respective sides of the rear of the skid loader; side plates each attached to one of a respective of the boot attachments; and a quick attach plate attached to the side plates, wherein the quick attach plate is configured for quick attachment to a skid loader accessory for performing a task at the rear of the skid loader.
 2. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the side plates are attached to one or more pistons for moving the side plates.
 3. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the quick attach plate.
 4. The attachment assembly of claim 3, wherein the pistons configured for moving the side plates with respect to the quick attach plate.
 5. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the boot attachments each comprises a boot insert configured to insertion into a boot attached to the rear of the skid loader.
 6. The attachment assembly of claim 5, wherein a pin is inserted into openings of the boot insert and the boot when the boot insert is inserted into the boot for securing the boot and the boot insert.
 7. The attachment assembly of claim 5, wherein pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the boot insert.
 8. The attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein the pistons configured for moving the side plates with respect to the boot insert.
 9. A method for operating an attachment assembly to a rear of a skid loader, comprising: attaching boot attachments to respective sides of the rear of the skid loader; attaching the attachment assembly to the boot attachments; attaching a skid loader accessory to a quick attach plate of the attachment assembly; and operating the attachment assembly for performing a task using the skid loader accessory at the rear of the skid loader, wherein the attachment assembly comprises side plates each for attachment to one of a respective of the boot attachments and a quick attach plate attached to the side plates.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the side plates are attached to one or more pistons for moving the side plates.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the quick attach plate.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising operating the pistons to move the side plates with respect to the quick attach plate.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the attachment assembly comprises boot inserts, wherein the boot attachments comprise boots, and wherein the attaching the attachment assembly to the boot attachments comprises inserting the boot inserts into the boots.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the attaching the attachment assembly to the boot attachments comprises inserting a pin into each respective opening of the boot inserts and the boots when the boot inserts are inserted into the boots for securing the boots and the boot inserts.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein pistons are attached to one or more of the side plates and the boot insert.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising operating the pistons to move the side plates with respect to the boot insert.
 17. An attachment assembly for attaching to a skid loader for operating at a rear of the skid loader, comprising: a frame, wherein the frame comprises a lower portion including one or more attachment points; a top portion; and a tip portion, wherein the attachment points are configured to attach to the frame to corresponding points of the skid loader for fixating the attachment assembly to the rear of the skid loader, wherein the top portion is at an angle with the lower portion, and wherein the tip portion is attached to the top portion; and one or more attachments attached to the tip portion, wherein the attachments are configured to perform tasks at the rear of the skid loader, and wherein the frame is lifted or lowered when connected to a boom of the skid loader when the boom is lifted or lowered.
 18. The attachment assembly of claim 17, wherein the attachments comprise a grapple.
 19. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the attachments further comprise a rotator attached to the grapple.
 20. The attachment assembly of claim 17, wherein the corresponding points of the skid loader comprises points on the boom. 21-35. (canceled) 